ERP Software Blog » Cost of Accounting Software

ERP in the Cloud vs. On-Premise Cost Comparison

Frank Nisenboum, Socius — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:35:16 +0000

When considering an ERP solution, there are a number of options that need to be weighed, like which solution is right for your organization, how many users you will need, what functionality you will have implemented, and more. However, with the increasing capacity and security of cloud computing, you now have another choice to consider: How you are going to deploy your ERP solution – whether you will maintain your own data on your own servers or if you will have it hosted in the cloud.

A major that factor that will weigh into your decision between a cloud ERP solution and a more traditional, on-premise ERP solution is cost.

A cloud ERP solution will enable you to control and predict costs by:

Avoiding up-front hardware acquisitions or updates
Paying a predictable, monthly, per-user subscription fee
Getting software maintenance without annual fees
Taking advantage of software updates without paying for additional services

Because there is very little up-front cost, the time it takes to realize a Return on Investment (ROI) on your cloud ERP solution is accelerated.

On the flip side, an on-premise ERP solution requires a larger up-front investment and longer pay-back period before an organization would benefit from a ROI. However, since you are only paying for your users licenses once, over the long-term, an on-premise ERP solution can have a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) than a cloud system.

Regardless of whether you select an on-premise or cloud ERP system, you will most likely pay for some implementation and training services when you begin use.

If the ERP solution that you are considering is Microsoft Dynamics GP, there is a quick and easy way for you to compare the costs of both the software and services associated with an on-premise or cloud deployment. Simply submit your requirements and a Microsoft Dynamics GP Quick Quote will be emailed to you that outlines what your initial investment would be for an on-premise deployment. You can also use our Cloud ERP calculator to determine what your costs would be for Microsoft Dynamics GP cloud and email your results to yourself to compare with the on-premise options!

By Socius, an Ohio Microsoft Dynamics ERP partner

ERP in the Cloud vs. On-Premise Cost Comparison is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Current Microsoft Dynamics GP Offers – Too good to be true?

Marcia Nita Doron, Altico Advisors — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 23:36:21 +0000

There’s a saying out there that goes something like this: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The key word in this case is “probably.” Because Microsoft is in fact running a promotion, valid through June 22^nd, that allows you to buy 5 users of Microsoft Dynamics GP for only $3000. That offer has been dubbed “Give Me 5.” Going one step forward, several Microsoft partners have bundled that offer with their own Cloud promotions. Let’s look at both.

Give Me 5

Very straight forward offer from Microsoft. Buy 5 user licenses of Microsoft Dynamics GP – Business Essentials OR Advanced Management – for only $3000. Exactly how much money are you saving? I’ll do the math for you. Absent the promotion, 5 users of Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Essentials would cost you $11,250. By taking advantage of the Give Me 5 offer, you save $8,250. Absent the promotion, 5 users of Microsoft Dynamics GP Advanced Management would cost you $19,900. By taking advantage of the Give Me 5 offer, you save a whopping $16,900.

So now you own the software at an incredibly low price. But it’s not up and running yet. Which brings us to…

Give Me 5 in the Cloud

This is a bit less straight forward because different partners have come up with their own varied offers. In our case, Altico Advisors has designed a quick start program with a monthly cost of only $875 for all 5 users.

Of course, there are still some set up and implementation costs as well as annual service fees. But the point is, no matter how you slice it, you’ve just saved thousands of dollars on the software.

Top 5 reasons why you would want to invest in new software

#1 It’s too hard to find out what’s really happening across your business right now
#2 You spend too much time re-entering and reconciling data across systems
#3 You’re losing sales because you can’t get information fast enough
#4 You do more of your accounting outside of our accounting system than in it!
#5 You spend too much time worrying about technology vs. focusing on business results

Top 4 advantages of Give Me 5 in the Cloud

#1 Quick deployment; get up and running immediately
#2 No hardware to maintain
#3 You own the software
#4 Move the system in house whenever you want

What should you do next?

Contact Altico Advisors for more information.

By Mike Kean, Altico AdvisorsMicrosoft Dynamics GP Partner for Manufacturing and Distribution serving New Hampshire (NH)

Current Microsoft Dynamics GP Offers – Too good to be true? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Microsoft Dynamics GP Helps You Follow the 9 Financial Rules to Keep Your Business Strong

Judy Van Der Linden, InterDyn Artis — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 03:41:53 +0000

The other day while reading, 9 Financial Rules to Keep Your Business Strong, written by Jim Blasingame, I learned that at the end of the 20th century, only 10 years ago, half of small businesses failed in the first five years. Recent research shows the mortality rate for small businesses have actually increased by 20% to half failing in the first four years.

There are many reasons why a business fails. I’d rather look at the positive side and share with you how InterDyn Artis, a Microsoft Gold Certified partner, has helped Microsoft Dynamics clients so they don’t become a gruesome statistic. Let’s start by reviewing the first 3 financial rules in Jim Blasingame’s article:

Produce regular (at least quarterly) and accurate financial statements (balance sheet and profit-and-loss).
Hire an accounting firm to help you. Too expensive? How expensive is failure?
Purchase and use one of the financial management software programs. Ask your CPA for a recommendation. Review the remaining financial rules.

InterDyn Artis can help with number 1 and 3 when purchasing a financial management software program that produces regular and accurate financial statements. Microsoft Dynamics GP (formerly Great Plains) enables you to make smart decisions that have a direct impact on your bottom line—increasing margins and improving your cash flow — which, as Jim mentions in his financial rules, is critical to staying out of the business obits.

When working with prospective new clients we recommend you review the Microsoft Dynamics GP Product Capabilities Guide. The guide is an overview of the product modules available within Microsoft Dynamics GP grouped by functional area and color coded to indicate which edition they’re available in. You can download the Microsoft Dynamics GP Product Capabilities Module Guide from our website. If you have questions and would like to discuss your options please contact us at 704-846-6750 or judy.vanderlinden@interdynartis.com for more information.

InterDyn Artis can also help determine a budget for your new financial management software with our Microsoft Dynamics GP Cost Quote Estimator Tool. After completing the Microsoft Dynamics GP Quick Quote Request Form you will receive a personalized quote of the cost of a Microsoft Dynamics GP project which includes software licenses, maintenance fees and implementation costs. You will receive your Quick Quote via email; it will include a complete list of included modules and available add-ons.

Contact InterDyn Artistoday to make sure your business doesn’t become a gruesome statistic; in today’s economy is doesn’t matter how long you have been in business. InterDyn Artis, established in 1989, is a Microsoft Partner dedicated to the implementation, training, and support of the Microsoft Dynamics line of products including Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains), Microsoft Dynamics CRM, SharePoint, and Business Intelligence.

Microsoft Dynamics GP Helps You Follow the 9 Financial Rules to Keep Your Business Strong is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Year-End Tax Savings & Bonus Depreciation

Kimberly Kohlhepp, SBS Group — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:08:45 +0000

Reducing taxable income can always improve your bottom line, especially as the year is winding down. Did you know the Bonus Depreciation (Section 79) benefit provided by the U.S. Federal Government is set to expire at the end of December 2011? If you are considering an IT purchase, this provision allows you to acquire computer software assets this year to accelerate the depreciation of how assets are accounted for within your company – potentially reducing taxable income. To learn more about Section 179, access the FAQ document here.

With this tax saving bonus depreciation, if you are considering purchasing any IT solution – accounting/ERP software such as Microsoft Dynamics ERP, CRM software, SharePoint or other technologies – now is the time to take advantage.

Want to get started now? You can take further advantage of this tax savings incentive with Microsoft Financing. Microsoft Financing offers deferred payments until 2012. Purchase any Microsoft solution needed today and make no payments until 2012 (subject to credit approval).

SBS Group and Microsoft Financing would be happy to provide you with a customized payment quote. Simply contact SBS Group here or call 732.476.5909 and let us know what products and services are being financed and whether or not you would like to leverage the “No Payment until 2012” deferral.

By: SBS Group – New Jersey Microsoft Dynamics Gold GP, SL, AX, CRM & NAV Partner & Master VAR

Year-End Tax Savings & Bonus Depreciation is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Now’s a Great Time to Save and Upgrade Your ERP Software

Roger Borek, Borek Business Solutions — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:01:45 +0000

Do you have business software that can’t keep up with your business? Simply “getting by” with entry-level or outdated accounting software can present a range of challenges every day—from slow performance to transaction limitations and disconnected data. It hinders your ability to make sound business decisions.

There are a few things you should know about Microsoft Dynamics:

Microsoft Dynamics has been in the ERP business for 10 years and publishes regular product roadmaps demonstrating their ongoing commitment and product innovation
Microsoft invests over $9 billion in Research and Development annually
Microsoft Dynamics ERP products including Microsoft Dynamics GP look and feel like Microsoft Office, making adoption easy
Microsoft offers both on premise and cloud solutions available today and remains committed to offering both to allow customers to choose which option works best for them
Getting the solution in place is less expensive than you think – Microsoft has an offer in market that will give you the first 5 seats for $3,000, which is up to 85% off the license price.

It’s not too late to make a change! Interested in learning more? Contact the Microsoft Dynamics ERP experts at Borek Business Solutions for all the details.

By Roger Borek, Borek Business Solutions, an Oregon-based Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner.

Now’s a Great Time to Save and Upgrade Your ERP Software is a post from: ERP Software Blog

How Much Does Dynamics GP in the Cloud Cost?

Frank Nisenboum, Socius — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:58:04 +0000

When you are assessing ERP software options, cost will no doubt be a major factor in your decision to go with a cloud or an on-premise deployment.

By using an ERP solution in the cloud, you will:

Avoid costly up-front hardware acquisitions or updates
Make predictable, monthly, per-user payments
Get software maintenance without annual fees
Take advantage of software updates without paying for additional services

Regardless of your deployment type, one of the biggest unknowns going into a new ERP solution purchase is the cost for implementation services, because this number is dependent on your business needs.

However, Cloud Services by Socius now offers a fixed-fee implementation schedule that enables you to know upfront your total cost for a cloud ERP solution, like Microsoft Dynamics GP in the cloud. While you can request a quote from Cloud Services for any of our Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions, our new pricing tool enables you to instantly calculate your costs for Microsoft Dynamics GP in the cloud.

When you use this tool, you will be quoted a cost for the specific functionality of Microsoft Dynamics GP Advanced Management that you need, for the number of users you require, and for the proven implementation services that has made Socius one of the top Microsoft Dynamics GP partners in the world.

See what Microsoft Dynamics GP in the Cloud would cost you!

By Socius, a Microsoft Dynamics ERP Partner in Ohio, Kansas City, and California

How Much Does Dynamics GP in the Cloud Cost? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Microsoft’s ‘Give Me 5’ Promotion – Trick or Treat?

Ann Haucke, The Resource Group — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 19:29:21 +0000

Halloween is approaching and this year I’m excited to get to participate again in the fun tradition of trick-or-treating. I hope my neighbors won’t mind that my 6-month old can’t actually partake in the goodies (mom & dad will have to help with that!). Microsoft has joined in the fall fun by announcing a treat for new Microsoft Dynamics^® ERP customers: the ‘Give Me 5’ promotion. Let’s examine this offer and determine if it is in fact a treat, or just a trick.

Offer Details:

With the ‘Give Me 5′ offer, you get 5 users of Microsoft Dynamics ERP (Microsoft Dynamics GP, Microsoft Dynamics SL or Microsoft Dynamics NAV) for one low price of $3,000 — up to an 85% discount off the regular license price! The offer is available to all new customers and is effective October 3, 2011 through June 22, 2012.

TRICK-

One caveat of the promotion is you are required to purchase a one year Business Ready Enhancement Plan (BREP). The enhancement/support plan fee will be calculated on the system list price of all users and components based on the regular Microsoft Dynamics price list.
Another requirement is you must buy at least 5 users to get the discount. Orders with fewer than 5 users will be licensed per regular Microsoft Dynamics price list prices. So if your company only needs a few users, you’ll still have to purchase some that you might not use.
The promotion is not available for Microsoft Dynamics AX.
The offer can’t be combined with other promotions.

-OR-TREAT:

The greatest benefit of this promotion is that it provides an extremely low cost of entry for an advanced system. In our experience working with companies evaluating new ERP systems, price is often a barrier. There is a substantial price jump from entry-level accounting systems like QuickBooks, to moving to an ERP system like Microsoft Dynamics GP. There isn’t much available at a price point in-between the two, making it too big of a leap for some companies to make. Therefore, many companies postpone moving to a new ERP system even though they are in dire need of one. The ‘Give Me 5’ promotion helps remove the price barrier and allows companies to move to a new system faster, fostering growth rather than waiting until their existing system is so painful that they can’t properly run their business and are forced to switch.
Another treat is that the offer is available for both the Business Essentials and Advanced Management editions, so even if you have more advanced needs, you can still utilize this offer. The $3,000 price is the same for both editions.
The promotion is available longer (through June 22, 2012), allowing you time to evaluate Microsoft Dynamics thoroughly and to make sure it is a good fit for your business needs. Historically, Microsoft promotions for ERP have been shorter in length, making it difficult to take advantage of the offer without making a rash decision. That said; make sure you start your evaluation now as it usually takes longer than you think to evaluate a new business system.
The offer is also available for a Cloud ERP deployment. If you prefer a hosted model instead of on-premise, you can still take advantage of this offer. It is a little different than the typical hosting purchase as you would need to purchase the users up front to get the promotion price, then pay a monthly fee for the hosting. This means you would own the licenses rather than rent them and also get the benefits of ERP in the Cloud.

Overall I think the ‘treats’ outweigh the ‘tricks’ of this offer. The discounted price is such a great deal and one of the best offers I’ve seen in the 9 years I’ve been working in the industry. View this ‘Give me 5’ Promotion flyer for further details, or contact The Resource Group to learn more.

By Ann Haucke, The Resource Group – Seattle, Washington Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Microsoft’s ‘Give Me 5’ Promotion – Trick or Treat? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Why Does Cloud ERP Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Matter To Your SMB?

SMBSuite — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:23:42 +0000

When evaluating technology within your business, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is an important measurement of value. All too often, the technology vendor and buyer focus on one thing – the acquisition cost. This is primarily due to budgetary cycles that tend to be focused on the short- or near-term.

Numerous studies, going back to the 1980’s show that the cost of acquisition is the smallest part of the overall TCO. In fact, it is generally accepted that the cost of maintenance, upgrades, optimization, management, and training represent approximately 3-5 times the cost of the initial acquisition – over a five-year ownership period.

Because of this, it is critically important that the small business person look beyond the acquisition and implementation costs to the long-term view as to how much the solution will actually cost your business.

Just as one would assess the TCO of an ‘on-premise’ technology solution, the same evaluation must be undertaken for a cloud/SaaS solution. The evaluation criteria and calculation should look something like this:

1. Cost per user, per month
2. Consulting / Implementation Fees
3. Training Costs
4. Ongoing User Support Costs
5. Upgrade Costs
6. Maintenance Costs
7. Extra Application Integration Costs (3rd Party Applications and Information)
8. Application/Environment Backup/Restoration/Recovery Costs
9. Ease and Cost of Adding New Functionality or Modules
10. Ease and Cost of Adding New Users to the Solution/System
11. Uptime Commitments and Cost of Business Downtime

SMB Suite views TCO as a preferred method to compare technology investments when two solutions provide roughly equivalent benefits over the solution lifecycle, but have different types of costs associated with acquisition, maintenance, and operation. For these reasons, a TCO comparison offers a more tangible assessment of the total costs involved in deploying cloud-based SaaS and on-premise business solutions.

For more information on SMB Suite’s Cloud subscription TCO with Microsoft Dynamics GP, CRM, and eCommerce, visit our website pricing page: www.smbsuite.com/pricing

by SMB Suite

Why Does Cloud ERP Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Matter To Your SMB? is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Microsoft Dynamics GP Competes with QuickBooks Pricing

DFC Consultants — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:56:41 +0000

There are two kinds’ people in this accounting software world (for the most part). Those currently using QuickBooks, or those that previously used QuickBooks. And if I were to generalize in one sentence how they described it having worked for them, most all say it “kind of” does what they need but “it was cheap “ so they’re “dealing with it”.

The result? They compromise the efficiency of many processes by letting the software dictate their procedures through limited setup options and configuration. *big sigh from me*

When I ask about the 5 year plan and how they see the company growing, I can see the disappointment when it’s realized QuickBooks won’t meet their future growth and simply will not cut it much longer. *big sigh from client*

Today I’m telling you, perhaps asking you, not to feel pressured to use other accounting software just because ”it’s cheap”. You can afford a long term solution that will scale with your business and give you room to grow.

Here. It Is.

Pay $3,000 and get 5 Microsoft Dynamics GP Licenses. Microsoft is offering the same pricing as QuickBooks . Yes, I found it on QB’s website. To be 100% clear, the only difference is, they include the first year of support/upgrades in that price. DFC provides support and we have support plans.

Why throw away time and money implementing a solution that is forcing you to compromise from the very beginning? Start planning now for the future of your business and acquire a solution that fits around you. We can guide you through the process from sales to implementation to training and support.

DFC is a Microsoft partner, with over 22 years of experience implementing, selling, and supporting Microsoft Dynamics GP. Please call DFC Consultants, at 800-277-5561 or find us at www.dfcconsultants.com.

One more thing. DFC Consultants specializes in the training for Microsoft Dynamics GP and Microsoft CRM. We are the only Microsoft Certified Training Center in North Dakota and one of the largest in the Midwest teaching over 20 classes in the past 12 months. We have five Microsoft Certified Trainers that provide classroom training in a structured, hands-on, question-and-answer environment. View our training schedule to plan for your future today.

By Sarah Mueller, Business Development, DFC Consultants, North Dakota Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Microsoft Dynamics GP Competes with QuickBooks Pricing is a post from: ERP Software Blog

Microsoft Offers Guide to Microsoft Dynamics GP Licensing; Download the Guide and Request a Quote

Anya Ciecierski, CAL Business Solutions — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:50:57 +0000

As with any technology purchase, the cost of an ERP solution is one of the most compelling factors in the selection process. Unfortunately, it can also be the most confusing part. Some ERP vendors have very complex pricing schemes, hidden fees, and additional costs that only become apparent after purchase. Microsoft has produced guides to help businesses better understand licensing options and be prepared for the actual cost before they make any final decisions.

For a single user, pricing for Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Essentials (BE) solution starts at $2,250. The other option is Microsoft Dynamics GP Advanced Management (AM) solution. The prices may vary for both solutions depending on the options and the Microsoft partner you purchase your licenses from. Each partner is supposed to charge the same license fees, but the cost of implementation services vary greatly. For more info download “Beyond Software: How to Estimate the Cost of ERP Implementation Services” or request an Instant Dynamics ERP Quote for price estimate of software, maintenance, implementation, and deployment.

One of our earlier posts may help you Compare Microsoft Dynamics GP Business Essentials versus Advanced Management: When Is The Advanced Management Edition Worth the Higher Price?

Most price variations reflect the wide range of deployment options and the amount of functionality you purchase for your Dynamics ERP solution. Microsoft Dynamics GP is available for Business Ready Licensing, which is for one solution, not one server. In other words, you could use multiple servers so long as you have a license that covers all of the users. Licenses for other necessary solutions, such as Microsoft SQL Server, are sold separately.

Licensing also dictates the type and amount of access. There three primary types of access:

1. Full User – This requires a full user license. These users can access the Dynamics ERP system directly through the Windows-based rich client user interface (UI) or indirectly through another method, such as a web portal.

2. Light User – These users can access Dynamics ERP systems indirectly through the web UI, SharePoint portal, Microsoft Office application, or a third party app.

3. Employee Self Service (ESS) – These users access Dynamics through the rich client UI but use it for employee administration, time and attendance, travel, and expenses.

For more information about Microsoft Dynamics ERP licensing options and details, you should download a new guide published by Microsoft called the Microsoft Dynamics ERP Licensing Guide. You can use this information to improve your understanding of how to license Microsoft Dynamics ERP solutions.

The guide includes:

Overview of Licensing Requirements,

Licensing Access to the Microsoft Dynamics ERP Licensing
Licensing the Microsoft Dynamics ERP Solution
Business Ready Enhancement Plan (BREP)
Additional Licensing Requirements
Five Steps to Counting Licenses for BRL

Note: Microsoft says this guide is NOT intended to help you in choosing Microsoft Dynamics products and services. The examples presented in this guide are illustrative. If you want help determining the right ERP/accounting software solution for your organization, including the license requirements for a specific product or scenario contact us at CAL Business Solutions

Another helpful guide is: “30 Questions Every CFO Must Ask About the Cost of Accounting Software” available at www.calszone.com/30questions

By CAL Business Solutions, Connecticut Microsoft Dynamics GP Partner

Microsoft Offers Guide to Microsoft Dynamics GP Licensing; Download the Guide and Request a Quote is a post from: ERP Software Blog

ERP Software Blog » Cost of Accounting Software

ERP in the Cloud vs. On-Premise Cost Comparison

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